Ohio-ACC
Dear Ohio-ACC Colleague,

I am pleased to share the following information about HB 247 from Ohio-ACC member Bob Williams, MBA, BSN, RN-BC, AACC, Lancaster, Ohio. This is a very important victory for Ohioans.

Christopher J. Cooper, MD, FACC
President
HB 247 Signed into Law
Bob Williams, MBA, BSN, RN-BC, AACC
On December 19, 2014, ACC members  Dr. Robert Hobbs, Dr. Anne Albers, Jennifer Dicken, and I had the opportunity to attend the Governor's signing of HB 247. HB 247 amended sections of the Revised Code to "make clear that any person may perform automated external defibrillation, to extend qualified immunity from civil liability to premises owners and other persons involved with automated external defibrillator placement and use...."

Sharing in the events of the day were Dr. Gordon Snider, friend of Representative Gerald Stebelton, and two cardiac arrest survivors, Mr. Rob Walker, Pickerington, and Ms. Claire Birkholz, Dublin. Mr. Walker lost his brother to sudden cardiac arrest while he was coaching football at Northwestern. Mr. Walker has cardiomyopathy and his AICD has provided therapy to convert life threatening rhythms. Ms. Birkholz, age 12, was accompanied by her mother Christy, older brother Will, and younger brother Reid. Ms. Birkholz experienced sudden cardiac arrest at the age of 9 as the result of undiagnosed long QT syndrome.

While waiting for our bill to be signed, Representative Stebelton provided a personal tour of the House Chamber. That day was Representative Stebelton's last day in office due to term limits in the House.  

Our group was prepared to meet with Governor Kasich, and we were escorted into the ceremonial office. The Governor engaged us in conversation and asked why this bill was important to us. While the bill was important to us all, it was most important to Mr. Walker and Ms. Birkholz. Governor Kasich asked them to share their stories. As the stories were shared, tears flowed. The embrace of Governor Kasich and young Ms. Birkholz warmed every heart in the room. The Governor asked what else we needed to do, and ACC members provided a number of ideas. Governor Kasich proceeded to sign HB 247 into law as Mr. Reid Birkholz finalized it by applying the period after the initial R, John R. Kasich.

It was an honor for ACC members to share this experience with the patients that we serve. We are committed not only to providing excellent healthcare, but advocating on their behalf.

Advocating on behalf of cardiovascular professionals and patients is very important. Please join the Ohio-ACC in Columbus on March 3, 2015, for the Ohio-ACC Legislative Day. Find out more.